Content distribution server

ABSTRACT

A content distribution server according to an embodiment includes a storage unit that stores: store codes corresponding to stores that are targets of distribution, device codes corresponding to receipt issuing devices in each respective store, print specifications corresponding to each receipt issuing device, and additional information items, each including print specifications required for printing the respective additional information. A control unit identifies at least one additional information item for transmitting to one or more of the stores having one or more receipt issuing devices with corresponding print specifications that match the print specifications of the at least one additional information item. A communication interface transmits, to the corresponding one or more stores, the identified at least one additional information and instructions causing the one or more receipt issuing devices in the one or more stores to print receipts including an image corresponding to the transmitted at least one additional information item.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/656,705, filed on Jul. 21, 2017, which is based upon and claims thebenefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-151465,filed on Aug. 1, 2016, the entire contents of each of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a content distributionserver.

BACKGROUND

In the related art, when retail stores such as supermarkets sell itemsof merchandise to customers, the retail stores issue receipts on whichdetails related to transactions thereof are printed. In the related art,the receipts are also used as output media of advertising content, andso technologies for distributing advertising content to devices thatissue the receipts have been developed.

For example, when a point of sales (POS) terminal that performs paymentprocessing in a store is instructed that an advertising content is to beadded, from a store server within the store, the POS terminal adds theadvertising content to the receipt, and issues the receipt. In such acase, in order to carry out such an advertisement technique on a largescale, it is necessary for a large number of different stores operatedby a plurality of different companies to implement technology to add theadvertisement to receipts to be issued. To achieve this, it is necessaryto manage the distribution of the advertisement using a central serverthat communicates with a plurality of store servers connected to thereceipt issuing devices. However, when the companies that operate thestores are different from each other, the types of the receipt issuingdevice provided in each store or the specifications of the receiptissuing device may be different from each other. Thus, there is a needfor a technology capable of efficiently distributing the informationthat takes into account differences in the specification of the receiptissuing devices.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example distribution system according toan embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configurationof a distribution server.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of a storetable.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of anissuance device table.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of anadditional information table.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of anaddition schedule table.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configurationof a user terminal.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configurationof a store server.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configurationof an issuance device.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of thedevices of the distribution system.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure ofdistribution information.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example receipt to which the additionalinformation is added.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example sequence of operations of adistribution process.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example sequence of operations of asetting process.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example sequence of operations of anissuance process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments provide a content distribution server configured toefficiently distribute information in accordance with a specification ofa receipt issuing device.

A content distribution server according to an embodiment includes astorage unit that stores: store codes corresponding to stores that aretargets of distribution, device codes corresponding to receipt issuingdevices in each respective store, print specifications corresponding toeach receipt issuing device, and additional information items, eachincluding print specifications required for printing the respectiveadditional information. A communication interface transmits and receivesdata via a network. A control unit identifies at least one additionalinformation item for transmitting to one or more of the stores havingone or more receipt issuing devices with corresponding printspecifications that match the print specifications of the at least oneadditional information item. The communication interface transmits, tothe corresponding one or more stores, the identified at least oneadditional information and instructions causing the one or more receiptissuing devices in the one or more stores to print receipts including animage corresponding to the transmitted at least one additionalinformation item.

Hereinafter, a large-scale content distribution system according toembodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.The embodiments of the large-scale content distribution system describedbelow are not limiting, and it should be understood that there are otherembodiments of the large-scale content distribution system.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example distribution system 1 accordingto the embodiment. The distribution system 1 includes a distributionserver 10, user terminals 20, and store systems 30. The distributionserver 10, the user terminal 20, and the store system 30 are connectedvia a distribution network 40 such as the Internet or a virtual privatenetwork (VPN).

The distribution server 10 is a server device. The distribution server10 distributes additional information, such as an advertisement to beadded to a receipt, to each of the store systems 30 (store servers 50 tobe described below). The distribution server 10 is not limited to oneserver device, and may be a plurality of servers in a group. When thedistribution server 10 is a server device group, functions of thedistribution server 10 may be distributed among the server devices. Whenthe distribution server 10 is the server device group, variousinformation items stored in the distribution server 10 may bedistributed among and may be stored in the server devices.

The user terminal 20 is an information processing device such as acomputer or a smart phone used by an administrator of the store system30.

The store system 30 is a system established in a store of a retail storesuch as a supermarket. Each store system 30 includes a store server 50and issuance devices 60. The issuance device 60 and the store servers 50are connected via a store network 70 such as a VPN.

The store server 50 is a computer that manages the issuance devices 60belonging to the store system 30.

The issuance device 60 is a device that issues printed matter (e.g.,receipt) on which a transaction content related to one transaction isprinted. For example, the issuance device 60 is a point of sales (POS)terminal, a kiosk terminal that provides various information items to acustomer in the store, a receipt printer that prints a receipt, aself-service POS terminal that allows the customer in person to readmerchandise, or a measurement device that issues a receipt with ameasurement of a weight of the merchandise and a price in accordancewith a measurement value.

The issuance device 60 also registers a service or merchandise as asales target related to one transaction. The issuance device 60 issues areceipt on which transaction content related to one transaction such asa total price of the registered merchandise or service is printed. Inthe embodiments, the issuance device 60 issues a receipt to whichadditional information is added based on a condition for adding theadditional information to the receipt.

Hereinafter, hardware configurations of various devices included in thedistribution system 1 will be described.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configurationof the distribution server 10. The distribution server 10 includes acontrol unit 101, a storage unit 102, a communication interface 103, adisplay unit 104, and an operation unit 105. The control unit 101, thestorage unit 102, the communication interface 103, the display unit 104,and the operation unit 105 are connected to each other through a systembus 106.

The control unit 101 controls the entire operation of the distributionserver 10, and carries out various functions of the distribution server10. The control unit 101 includes a central processing unit (CPU), aread only memory (ROM), and a random access memory (RAM). The CPUgenerally controls the operation of the distribution server 10. The ROMis a storage medium that stores various programs or data items. The RAMis a storage medium that temporarily stores various programs and variousdata items. The CPU executes the program stored in the ROM or thestorage unit 102 while using the RAM as a work area.

The storage unit 102 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD)or a solid state drive (SSD). The storage unit 102 stores a controlprogram 107, a store table 108, an issuance device table 109, anadditional information table 110, and an addition schedule table 111.The store table 108, the issuance device table 109, the additionalinformation table 110, and the addition schedule table 111 are notlimited to be stored in the distribution server 10, and may be stored inanother server device.

The control program 107 includes a program executed by the CPU to carryout the functions of the distribution server 10, as disclosed herein,and an operating system.

The store table 108 stores information related to each store. FIG. 3 isa diagram showing an example of a data structure of the store table 108.As shown in FIG. 3, the store table 108 stores store codes, companycodes, store attributes, store server codes, and one or a plurality ofissuance device codes, such that these codes are associated with eachother. The store code is identification information capable ofidentifying the store. The company code is identification informationcapable of identifying a company that operates the stores. The storeattribute is an attribute of the store. For example, the store attributeis a location or a business type and business category. The location isinformation indicating a place where the store is located. For example,the location is an address of the store. The business type and businesscategory is information indicating a business type or a businesscategory of the store. For example, the business type and businesscategory is a supermarket, a convenience store, grocery retailer, or arestaurant business. The store table 108 is not limited to the storeattribute such as the location or the business type and businesscategory, and may store other attributes of the store. The store servercode is identification information for identifying the store server 50provided in the store. The issuance device code is identificationinformation capable of identifying each of the issuance devices 60provided in each store.

The issuance device table 109 stores information related to the issuancedevice 60. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure ofthe issuance device table 109. As shown in FIG. 4, the issuance devicetable 109 stores issuance device codes, device types, manufacturercodes, device model codes, versions, and print specifications such thatthese information items are associated with each other.

The issuance device code is identification information for identifyingthe issuance device 60. The device type is a type of the issuance device60. For example, the device type is a POS terminal, a kiosk terminal, areceipt printer, a self-service POS terminal, or a measurement devicethat is also capable of issuing a receipt. The manufacturer code isinformation indicating a company that manufactures the issuance device60. The device model code is identification information capable ofidentifying a model of the issuance device 60. The version isinformation indicating a change stage of the issuance device 60. Theprint specification is a size and/or a resolution. The size isinformation indicating a size of a region of the receipt in which theadditional information can be printed in a longitudinal direction and atransverse direction. The resolution is the density of dots requiredwith which the additional information is printed. The issuance devicetable 109 is not limited to the print specification such as the sizeand/or the resolution, and may store another print specification. In thepresent embodiment, the issuance device table 109 stores the printspecification. The print specification is not limited to be stored inthe issuance device table 109, and may be stored in another data table.

The additional information table 110 stores and manages the additionalinformation as a distribution target. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing anexample of a data structure of the additional information table 110. Asshown in FIG. 5, the additional information table 110 stores additionalinformation codes, on-specification-basis codes, additional informationitems, and print specifications such that these information items areassociated with each other. The additional information code isidentification information for identifying the additional information.The additional information table 110 stores a plurality of additionalinformation items, each having a different print specification for oneadditional information code. More specifically, the additionalinformation table 110 may store a plurality of additional informationitems of which contents to be printed on receipts are the same but printspecifications are different, or may store a plurality of additionalinformation items of which the advertisement is for the same merchandisebut words or images of the advertisement are different from each other.The on-specification-basis code is identification information foridentifying each additional information item for each printspecification. The additional information may be image data or characterdata, and the content of the additional information is not limited. Forexample, the content of the additional information may be anadvertisement, a coupon, or a four-frame cartoon. The printspecification is a print specification of the issuance device 60 that isto add the additional information and print the added additionalinformation. More specifically, the print specification includes a sizeand/or a resolution. The size is information indicating a size of aregion in which the additional information is to be printed on thereceipt. That is, the size is information indicating the sizes of theadditional information to be printed on the receipt in the longitudinaldirection and the transverse direction. The resolution is the density ofdots with which the additional information is to be printed. The printspecification in the additional information table 110 is not limited tothe size or the resolution. The additional information table 110 maystore a different print specification of the additional information.

The addition schedule table 111 stores a schedule at which theadditional information will be added to the receipt in each store. FIG.6 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of the additionschedule table 111. As shown in FIG. 6, the addition schedule table 111stores dates, time periods, device types, addition conditions, andadditional information codes such that these information items areassociated with each other. The date is information indicating a datewhen the additional information is allowed to be added. The time periodis information indicating a time period when the additional informationis allowed to be added. The device type is a type of the issuance device60. For example, the device type may be the POS terminal, the kioskterminal, the receipt printer, the self-service POS terminal, or themeasurement device that issues the receipt. The device type may be setsuch that a specific type of device is not designated. The additioncondition is a condition for adding the additional information. Anycondition may be set as the addition condition. For example, theaddition condition may be an attribute of the customer such as a genderor an age. The addition condition may be merchandise purchased in onetransaction, the number of pieces of merchandise purchased, or a totalamount of money. When the merchandise is set as the addition condition,for example, the additional information is added under a condition inwhich specific merchandise is purchased. When the number of pieces ofmerchandise purchased or the total amount of money is set as theaddition condition, for example, the additional information is addedunder a condition in which the number of pieces of merchandise purchasedor the total amount of money is equal to or greater than a threshold.The addition condition may be a member of a specific organization. Whenthe member is set as the addition condition, for example the additionalinformation is added under a condition in which a membership code of amembership card is presented. The addition condition is not limited toone type, and may be plural in number. The additional information codeis information indicating additional information to be added to thereceipt under a condition in which the addition condition is satisfiedfor the receipt issued in the time period of the date when theadditional information is added.

The communication interface 103 is an interface for communicating with adevice connected to the distribution network 40.

The display unit 104 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device(LCD). The display unit 104 is not limited to the liquid crystal displaydevice, and may be, for example, an organic EL display device.

The operation unit 105 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse.The operation unit 105 receives an operation for the distribution server10.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configurationof the user terminal 20. The user terminal 20 includes a control unit201, a storage unit 202, a communication interface 203, a display unit204, and an operation unit 205. The control unit 201, the storage unit202, the communication interface 203, the display unit 204, and theoperation unit 205 are connected to each other through a system bus 206.

The control unit 201 controls the entire operation of the user terminal20, and carries out various functions of the user terminal 20. Thecontrol unit 201 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU generallycontrols the operation of the user terminal 20. The ROM is a storagemedium that stores various programs or data items. The RAM is a storagemedium that temporarily stores various programs and various data items.The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 202while using the RAM as a work area.

The storage unit 202 is a storage device such as an HDD or an SSD. Thestorage unit 202 stores a control program 207. The control program 207is a program executed by the CPU to carry out the functions of the userterminal 20, as disclosed herein, and an operating system.

The communication interface 203 is an interface for communicating with adevice connected to the distribution network 40.

The display unit 204 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device(LCD). The display unit 204 is not limited to the liquid crystal displaydevice, and may be, for example, an organic EL display device.

The operation unit 205 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse.The operation unit 205 receives an operation for the user terminal 20.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configurationof the store server 50. The store server 50 includes a control unit 501,a storage unit 502, a communication interface 503, a display unit 504,and an operation unit 505. The control unit 501, the storage unit 502,the communication interface 503, the display unit 504, and the operationunit 505 are connected to each other through a system bus 506.

The control unit 501 controls the entire operation of the store server50, and carries out various functions of the store server 50. Thecontrol unit 501 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU generallycontrols the operation of the store server 50. The ROM is a storagemedium that stores various programs or data items. The RAM is a storagemedium that temporarily stores various programs and various data items.The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 502while using the RAM as a work area.

The storage unit 502 is a storage device such as an HDD or an SSD. Thestorage unit 502 stores a control program 507. The control program 507is a program executed by the CPU to carry out the functions of the storeserver 50, as disclosed herein, and an operating system.

The communication interface 503 is an interface for communicating with adevice connected to the distribution network 40 or the store network 70.

The display unit 504 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device(LCD). The display unit 504 is not limited to the liquid crystal displaydevice, and may be, for example, an organic EL display device.

The operation unit 505 is an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse.The operation unit 505 receives an operation for the store server 50.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configurationof the issuance device 60. In the present embodiment, an example inwhich the issuance device 60 is the POS terminal will be described. Theissuance device 60 includes a control unit 601, a storage unit 602, acommunication interface 603, a first display unit 604, a second displayunit 605, an operation unit 606, a printer 607, a card reader and writer608, and a scanner 609. The control unit 601, the storage unit 602, thecommunication interface 603, the first display unit 604, the seconddisplay unit 605, the operation unit 606, the printer 607, the cardreader and writer 608, and the scanner 609 are connected to each othervia a system bus 610.

The control unit 601 controls the entire operation of the issuancedevice 60, and carries out various functions of the issuance device 60.The control unit 601 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU generallycontrols the operation of the issuance device 60. The ROM is a storagemedium that stores various programs or data items. The RAM is a storagemedium that temporarily stores various programs and various data items.The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 602while using the RAM as a work area.

The storage unit 602 is a storage device such as an HDD or an SSD. Thestorage unit 602 stores a control program 611. The control program 611is a program executed by the CPU to carryout the functions of theissuance device 60, as disclosed herein, and an operating system.

The communication interface 603 is an interface for communicating with adevice connected to the store network 70.

The first display unit 604 is a liquid crystal display device (LCD) inwhich touch panel is overlaid on a display surface. For example, thefirst display unit 604 displays various screens for a salesperson of thestore. The second display unit 605 is a liquid crystal display device(LCD) in which a touch panel is overlaid on a display surface. Forexample, the second display unit 605 displays various screens for acustomer.

The operation unit 606 is an input device such as a keyboard. Theoperation unit 606 may be a touch panel overlaid on the first displayunit 604 or a touch panel overlaid on the second display unit 605.

The printer 607 issues a receipt acquired by printing transactioncontent related to one transaction on a predetermined sheet. The cardreader and writer 608 scans a card in order to read card informationfrom the card. The scanner 609 optically reads code information from acode symbol such as a barcode assigned to merchandise brought by thecustomer.

Hereinafter, functions of the respective devices of the distributionsystem 1 will be described. Here, FIG. 10 is a block diagram showingfunctional configurations of the respective devices of the distributionsystem 1.

The control unit 101 of the distribution server 10 loads the controlprogram 107 stored in the storage unit 102 into the RAM, and is operatedaccording to the control program 107, to implement the respectivefunctional units shown in FIG. 10 in the RAM. Specifically, the controlunit 101 of the distribution server 10 includes, as functional units, acommunication control unit 1001, a store management unit 1002, anadditional information registration unit 1003, a schedule registrationunit 1004, a target extraction unit 1005, a distribution informationgeneration unit 1006, and a distribution control unit 1007.

The communication control unit 1001 controls the communication interface103 to communicate with a device such as the user terminal 20 or thestore server 50 connected to the distribution network 40. Thecommunication control unit 1001 also controls the communicationinterface 103 to communicate with a device such as the issuance device60 connected to the store network 70 through the store server 50.

The store management unit 1002 functions as a management unit of thepresent embodiment. The store management unit 1002 manages informationrelated to the store. That is, the store management unit 1002 managesthe store table 108 and the issuance device table 109. For example, whena store is newly added, the store management unit 1002 adds the newstore to the store table 108. When an issuance device 60 is newly added,the store management unit 1002 adds the new issuance device code of anissuance device 60 to be added to the store table 108.

The additional information registration unit 1003 registers additionalinformation to be distributed in the additional information table 110.The additional information registration unit 1003 may register theadditional information generated in the distribution server 10 in theadditional information table 110. For example, the additionalinformation registration unit 1003 may register the additionalinformation received by the communication control unit 1001 from anexternal device in the additional information table 110. The additionalinformation registration unit 1003 may also register the additionalinformation input from an external device through a connection interfacesuch as a universal serial bus (USB) interface in the additionalinformation table 110.

The schedule registration unit 1004 sets a schedule or at which theadditional information is allowed to be added to the receipt orcondition for adding the additional information to the receipt, in theaddition schedule table 111. That is, the schedule registration unit1004 sets for each date, the time period when the additional informationis allowed to be added, the device type based on which the additionalinformation is to be added, the addition condition for adding theadditional information, and the additional information for each additioncondition. The schedule registration unit 1004 may register the schedulein the addition schedule table 111 based on inputs received through theoperation unit 105. The schedule registration unit 1004 may register theschedule or the condition in the addition schedule table 111 based oninformation received by the communication control unit 1001 from theexternal device. The schedule registration unit 1004 may register theschedule or the condition in the addition schedule table 111 based oninformation input from the external device through the connectioninterface such as the USB interface. The schedule registration unit 1004may register the date, the time period, the device types, and theaddition conditions, or some subset thereof.

The target extraction unit 1005 extracts the store server 50 of thestore system 30 that satisfies the designated extraction condition fromthe store table 108, as the store server 50 to which the additionalinformation is transmitted. Any condition may be set as an extractioncondition. For example, the extraction condition may be the companycode, the store attribute, and a combination thereof. The targetextraction unit 1005 may extract the store servers 50 of the pluralityof stores corresponding to different company codes under a condition inwhich the extraction condition is appropriate. The target extractionunit 1005 may extract the store server 50 of the store of which thelocation is included in a designated region irrespective of the companycode under a condition in which a specific location is designated as theextraction condition. The target extraction unit 1005 extracts the storeserver 50 of the store for which the business type and business categoryis the restaurant irrespective of the company code under a condition inwhich the restaurant is designated as the extraction condition.

The distribution information generation unit 1006 generates distributioninformation to be distributed to each store server 50 extracted by thetarget extraction unit 1005 in cooperation with the distribution controlunit 1007. The distribution information includes the issuance devicecode, the time period when the additional information is allowed to beadded to the receipt, and the addition condition set in the additionschedule table 111, e.g., gender, age. Here, FIG. 11 is a diagramshowing an example of a data structure of the distribution information.The distribution information is stored such that the issuance devicecode, the time period, the addition condition, and the additionalinformation are associated with each other. The issuance device code isinformation indicating the issuance device 60 that is to add theadditional information to the receipt. The time period is informationindicating the period when the additional information is allowed to beadded to the receipt. The addition condition is information indicatingthe condition based on which the additional information is to be addedto the receipt.

Incidentally, the issuance device 60 adds the additional information tothe receipt in accordance with the time period, and the additioncondition set forth in the distribution information. It should be notedthat the issuance devices 60 of different types add different additionalinformation items to the receipts according to the device types. Forexample, the issuance devices 60 having different device types adddifferent additional information items to the receipts according totheir print specification, such as the size of the printable receipt orthe printing resolution.

The distribution information generation unit 1006 generates thedistribution information according to the device type for each issuancedevice 60 of each store system 30 extracted by the target extractionunit 1005. More specifically, the distribution information generationunit 1006 extracts the issuance device code associated with the storecode of the store system 30 as a distribution destination in the storetable 108. The distribution information generation unit 1006 extractsthe device type of the extracted issuance device code by comparing theextracted issuance device code with the issuance device code of theissuance device table 109. The distribution information generation unit1006 extracts the print specification of the issuance device code of theissuance device 60 from the issuance device table 109, as the extracteddistribution destination. The distribution information generation unit1006 selects the additional information item appropriate for theextracted device type and print specification from the additionalinformation table 110.

The distribution information generation unit 1006 may generate thedistribution information by various methods. For example, thedistribution information generation unit 1006 may set the additionalinformation to be appropriate for the print specification of theissuance device 60 by converting the additional information having theadditional information code set in the addition schedule table 111 intothe additional information appropriate for the print specification ofthe issuance device 60. More specifically, the distribution informationgeneration unit 1006 extracts the additional information code set in theaddition schedule table 111. The distribution information generationunit 1006 extracts the print specification of the issuance device 60 asthe distribution destination from the issuance device table 109. Thedistribution information generation unit 1006 converts the additionalinformation having the extracted additional information code into theadditional information appropriate for the print specification of theissuance device 60. For example, the conversion of the additionalinformation means that the size of the print specification of theadditional information is increased or decreased. Accordingly, thedistribution information generation unit 1006 generates the distributioninformation appropriate for the device type and the print specification.The process of converting the additional information into the additionalinformation appropriate for the extracted print specification is notlimited to being performed in the distribution server 10, and may beperformed by the store server 50 or the issuance device 60.

The distribution control unit 1007 functions as a distribution unit ofthe present embodiment in cooperation with the communication controlunit 1001. The distribution control unit 1007 controls the communicationcontrol unit 1001 to transmit the distribution information generated bythe distribution information generation unit 1006 to the store server 50extracted by the target extraction unit 1005. Each store server 50 thatreceives the distribution information distributes the additionalinformation to the issuance device having the issuance device codedesignated in the distribution information.

Specifically, the distribution control unit 1007 causes the targetextraction unit 1005 to extract the store server 50 under a condition inwhich a predetermined distribution condition is satisfied. When thecondition is satisfied, the distribution control unit 1007 causes thedistribution information generation unit 1006 to generate thedistribution information. The distribution control unit 1007 causes thecommunication control unit 1001 to transmit the generated distributioninformation to the extracted store server 50. Any condition may be setas the distribution condition. For example, the distribution conditionmay be a predetermined time, or may be receiving an operation forinstructing the distribution of the distribution information. Thedistribution destination of the distribution information is not limitedto the store server 50, and may be the issuance device 60. Thedistribution control unit 1007 may designate a specific store code orcompany code, and may transmit the distribution information. When thestore code is designated, one or a plurality of issuance devices 60provided in the store having the designated store code is a target. Whenthe company code is designated, one or a plurality of issuance devices60 provided in one or a plurality of stores operated by the companyhaving the designated company code is a target.

The control unit 201 of the user terminal 20 loads the control program207 stored in the storage unit 202 into the RAM, and is operatedaccording to the control program 207, to implement the respectivefunctional units shown in FIG. 10 in the RAM. Specifically, the controlunit 201 of the user terminal 20 includes, as functional units, acommunication control unit 2001, a display control unit 2002, and anoperation control unit 2003.

The communication control unit 2001 controls the communication interface203 to communicate with a device such as the distribution server 10 orthe store server 50 connected to the distribution network 40. Thecommunication control unit 2001 controls the communication interface 203to communicate with a device such as the issuance device 60 connected tothe store network 70 through the store server 50.

The display control unit 2002 controls the display unit 204 to displayvarious information items. The operation control unit 2003 controls theoperation unit 205 to receive inputs relating to various operations.

The control unit 501 of the store server 50 loads the control program507 stored in the storage unit 502 into the RAM, and is operatedaccording to the control program 507, to implement the respectivefunctional units shown in FIG. 10 in the RAM. Specifically, the controlunit 501 of the store server 50 includes, as functional units, acommunication control unit 5001, and an addition control unit 5002.

The communication control unit 5001 controls the communication interface503 to communicate with a device such as the distribution server 10 orthe user terminal 20 connected to the distribution network 40. Thecommunication control unit 5001 controls the communication interface 503to communicate with a device such as the issuance device 60 connected tothe store network 70.

The addition control unit 5002 requests the issuance device 60 havingthe issuance device code of the distribution information to add theadditional information designated in the distribution information undera condition in which the communication control unit 5001 receives thedistribution information. That is, if the condition is satisfied, theaddition control unit 5002 causes the communication control unit 5001 totransmit the setting request including the distribution information tothe issuance device 60. Here, the setting request is a request to theissuance device 60 to add the additional information included in thedistribution information to the receipt when the receipt is issued.

The control unit 601 of the issuance device 60 loads the control program611 stored in the storage unit 602 into the RAM, and is operatedaccording to the control program 611, to implement the respectivefunctional units shown in FIG. 10 in the RAM. Specifically, the controlunit 601 of the issuance device 60 includes, as functional units, acommunication control unit 6001, an operation control unit 6002, anaddition setting unit 6003, an issuance control unit 6004, and a salesregistration unit 6005. In the present embodiment, an example in whichthe issuance device 60 is the POS terminal will be described.

The communication control unit 6001 controls the communication interface603 to communicate with a device such as the store server 50 connectedto the store network 70. The communication control unit 6001 controlsthe communication interface 603 to communicate with a device such asdistribution server 10 or the user terminal 20 connected to thedistribution network 40 through the store server 50.

The operation control unit 6002 controls the operation unit 606 toreceive inputs relating to various operations.

The addition setting unit 6003 stores the distribution informationincluded in a received setting request in the storage unit 602 under acondition in which the setting request of the distribution informationis received by the communication control unit 6001. The addition settingunit 6003 sets the additional information included in the distributioninformation to be added to the receipt.

The issuance control unit 6004 controls the issuance of the receipt.More specifically, the issuance control unit 6004 extracts the timeperiod appropriate for the time when the receipt is issued from thedistribution information under a condition in which the receipt is to beissued. The issuance control unit 6004 extracts the additionalinformation associated with the addition condition received by theoperation control unit 6002. The issuance control unit 6004 issues thereceipt to which the extracted additional information is added.

Here, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the receipt to whichthe additional information is added. The receipt includes a transactioncontent print region 7001, and an additional information print region7002. The transaction content print region 7001 is a region of thereceipt where the transaction content is printed. The additionalinformation print region 7002 is a region where the additionalinformation is printed. An advertisement of merchandise X is printed andadded in the additional information print region 7002 shown in FIG. 12,as the additional information. The additional information print region7002 shown in FIG. 12 is positioned under the transaction content printregion 7001, but the additional information print region 7002 may bepositioned in any area of the receipt. The transaction content printregion 7001 and the additional information print region 7002 may beseparated from each other.

The sales registration unit 6005 controls a sales data process. That is,the sales registration unit 6005 registers the merchandise having themerchandise code received by the scanner 609, as merchandise as a salestarget. The sales registration unit 6005 calculates a total amount ofmoney of the merchandise registered as the sales target.

Hereinafter, operations of the respective devices of the distributionsystem 1 will be described. Here, FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing anexample of a distribution process performed by the distribution server10 and the store server 50 of the distribution system 1 according to theembodiment.

The additional information registration unit 1003 of the distributionserver 10 registers the additional information in the additionalinformation table 110 (step S11). The schedule registration unit 1004 ofthe distribution server 10 registers the addition condition in theaddition schedule table 111 (step S12).

The distribution control unit 1007 of the distribution server 10determines whether or not the distribution condition in which thedistribution information is distributed is satisfied (step S13). Whenthe distribution condition is not satisfied (step S13; No), thedistribution server 10 waits until the distribution condition issatisfied.

Meanwhile, when the distribution condition is satisfied (step S13; Yes),the target extraction unit 1005 of the distribution server 10 extractsthe store server 50 to which the distribution information is to bedistributed from the store table 108 (step S14).

The distribution information generation unit 1006 of the distributionserver 10 generates the distribution information to be distributed tothe extracted store server 50 (step S15). The communication control unit1001 of the distribution server 10 transmits the generated distributioninformation to the store server 50 (step S16).

The communication control unit 5001 of the store server 50 receives thedistribution information (step S21).

The store server 50 performs a setting process to be described below incooperation with another device (step S22).

As above, the respective devices of the distribution system 1 end thedistribution process.

Hereinafter, the setting process performed by the respective devices ofthe distribution system 1 will be described. Here, FIG. 14 is aflowchart showing an example of the setting process performed by thestore server 50 and the issuance device 60 of the distribution system 1according to the embodiment.

The communication control unit 5001 of the store server 50 transmits thedistribution information received from the distribution server 10 toeach issuance device 60 (step S31).

The communication control unit 6001 of the issuance device 60 receivesthe distribution information (step S41). The addition setting unit 6003of the issuance device 60 sets the additional information included inthe received distribution information to be added to the receipt (stepS42).

As above, the respective devices of the distribution system 1 end thesetting process.

Hereinafter, an issuance process performed by the issuance device 60will be described. Here, FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example ofthe issuance process performed by the issuance device 60 according tothe embodiment.

The operation control unit 6002 of the issuance device 60 receives aninput of the addition condition (step S51). That is, the operationcontrol unit 6002 receives, for example, an input of the attribute ofthe customer.

The issuance control unit 6004 of the issuance device 60 extracts thetime period appropriate for the time when the receipt is allowed to beissued from the distribution information (step S52).

The issuance control unit 6004 of the issuance device 60 extracts theadditional information associated with the addition conditionappropriate for the attribute of the customer (step S53).

The issuance control unit 6004 of the issuance device 60 issues thereceipt to which the additional information is added (step S54).

As above, the respective devices of the distribution system 1 end theissuance process.

As described above, in accordance with the distribution system 1according to the present embodiment, the distribution server 10 managesthe store table 108, the issuance device table 109, the additionalinformation table 110, and the addition schedule table 111. Thedistribution server 10 extracts the print specification of the issuancedevice 60 provided in each store from the issuance device table 109. Thedistribution server 10 generates the distribution information includingthe additional information appropriate for the extracted printspecification. The distribution server 10 transmits the distributioninformation including the additional information appropriate for theprint specification. Accordingly, the distribution server 10 canefficiently distribute the information in accordance with thespecifications of each issuance device 60.

The program to be executed by each device according to the embodiment ora modification example is previously embedded into a storage medium (ROMor storage unit) of each device and is provided, but the program is notlimited thereto. For example, the program may be recorded as a filehaving an installable or executable format in a computer readablerecording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or adigital versatile disk (DVD), and may be provided. The storage medium isnot limited to a medium independent from a computer or an embeddedsystem, and may include a storage medium that stores or temporarilystores a program which is delivered and downloaded by a LAN or theInternet.

The program to be executed by each device according to the embodiment orthe modification example may be stored in a computer connected to anetwork such as the Internet, and may be provided by being downloadedvia the network. Alternatively, the program may be provided ordistributed via the network such as the Internet.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the inventions.

1. A content distribution system, comprising: a store server for a storehaving a store code associated therewith, at least one receipt issuingdevice in the store being connected to the store server via a storenetwork; a content distribution server including: a storage unit thatstores: store codes corresponding to stores that are targets ofdistribution, device codes corresponding to receipt issuing devices ineach respective store, print specifications corresponding to eachreceipt issuing device, and additional information items, each includingprint specifications required for printing the respective additionalinformation; a communication interface that transmits and receives datato and from the store server via a network; and a control unit that,based on the stored store codes, device codes, print specificationscorresponding to each receipt issuing device and additional informationitems: identifies at least one additional information item fortransmitting to the store server when the at least one receipt issuingdevice has corresponding print specifications that match the printspecifications of the at least one additional information item, andcontrols the communication interface to transmit to the store server theidentified at least one additional information and instructions causingthe one or more receipt issuing device to print receipts including animage corresponding to the transmitted at least one additionalinformation item.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein theadditional information items each include an addition condition, and theinstructions cause the one or more receipt issuing device to print theprint receipts including the image when the addition condition issatisfied.
 3. The system according claim 2, wherein the additioncondition is one or more specific item of merchandise purchased in atransaction for which the receipt is printed.
 4. The system according toclaim 2, wherein the addition condition is a time period of atransaction for which the receipt is printed.
 5. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the storage unit further stores store attributescorresponding to each store code, and the control unit furtheridentifies the at least one additional information item for transmittingto one or more of the stores based on the stored store attributes. 6.The system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit further storesa schedule, and the control unit controls the communication interface totransmit the identified at least one additional information inaccordance with the schedule.
 7. The system according to claim 1,wherein the print specifications include at least one of a resolutionand a print area size. 8.-14. (canceled)
 15. A content distributionmethod, comprising: associating a store code with a store having a storeserver, the store having at least one receipt issuing device connectedto the store server via a store network; storing in a contentdistribution server connected to the store server via a network: storecodes corresponding to stores that are targets of distribution, devicecodes corresponding to receipt issuing devices in each respective store,print specifications corresponding to each receipt issuing device, andadditional information items, each including print specificationsrequired for printing the respective additional information; identifyingat least one additional information item for transmitting to the storeserver when that at least one receipt issuing device has correspondingprint specifications that match the print specifications of the at leastone additional information item, based on the stored store codes, devicecodes, print specifications corresponding to each receipt issuing deviceand additional information items; and transmitting, to the store server,the identified at least one additional information and instructionscausing the one or more receipt issuing device to print receiptsincluding an image corresponding to the transmitted at least oneadditional information item.
 16. The method according to claim 15,wherein the additional information items each include an additioncondition, and the instructions cause the one or more receipt issuingdevice in to print the print receipts including the image when theaddition condition is satisfied.
 17. The method according to accordingclaim 16, wherein the addition condition is one or more specific item ofmerchandise purchased in a transaction for which the receipt is printed.18. The method according to according to claim 16, wherein the additioncondition is a time period of a transaction for which the receipt isprinted.
 19. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:storing store attributes corresponding to each store code in the contentdistribution server, wherein the at least one additional informationitem is further identified based on the stored store attributes.
 20. Themethod according to claim 15, wherein the print specifications includeat least one of a resolution and a print area size.